Along Route 74: Try out these forgotten movie gems

Published: Friday, May 31, 2013 at 04:30 PM.

Following Oscar Night I mentioned how few times I get to a movie theater anymore.

That doesn’t mean films aren’t important to me. I still watch quite a few – just on television, and most are older ones.

It’s given me the chance to view certain offerings a second time and appreciate the good and revile the bad even more.

One thing you discover is that certain great films have gotten lost in the shuffle over the years. That’s why I thought it would be worthwhile to mention some terrific ‘forgotten’ gems out there. (Be mindful, these aren’t meant for every viewer.)

Check these out when you can:

The Sand Pebbles (1961) – This was a star vehicle for the late Steve McQueen but the story of a U.S. navy ship steaming up a river into China in the early part of the 1900s was about much more. It gave a glimpse of a time when the rest of the world didn’t quite know what to think of the brash young Americans as this nation emerged as an international power.

The Mean Season (1985) – This was a gritty tale of a reporter (Kurt Russell) contacted by a serial murder (Richard Jordan) in the Miami area. When the reporter gets as much attention than the killer, the intensity ratchets up.

Following Oscar Night I mentioned how few times I get to a movie theater anymore.

That doesn’t mean films aren’t important to me. I still watch quite a few – just on television, and most are older ones.

It’s given me the chance to view certain offerings a second time and appreciate the good and revile the bad even more.

One thing you discover is that certain great films have gotten lost in the shuffle over the years. That’s why I thought it would be worthwhile to mention some terrific ‘forgotten’ gems out there. (Be mindful, these aren’t meant for every viewer.)

Check these out when you can:

The Sand Pebbles (1961) – This was a star vehicle for the late Steve McQueen but the story of a U.S. navy ship steaming up a river into China in the early part of the 1900s was about much more. It gave a glimpse of a time when the rest of the world didn’t quite know what to think of the brash young Americans as this nation emerged as an international power.

The Mean Season (1985) – This was a gritty tale of a reporter (Kurt Russell) contacted by a serial murder (Richard Jordan) in the Miami area. When the reporter gets as much attention than the killer, the intensity ratchets up.

Seven Days in May (1964) – Thrillers about a military coup to take over the White House are old hat these days – but not when this was filmed. The two main antagonists, Burt Lancaster and Kurt Douglas, really brought their “A game” to this one, which I’ve only seen in black-and-white.

The Year of Living Dangerously (1982) – This was one of Mel Gibson's early starring turns as a young journalist covering Indonesia political' turmoil in 1965. Sigourney Weaver is his love interest but actress Linda Hunt provides an Oscar-winning supporting role in a film that draws you subtly into the tension of the times.

Sleepers (1996) – This had one of the best casts every assembled – Dustin Hoffman, Robert DeNiro, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, Jason Patric, Kevin Bacon, Minnie Driver, and Billy Crudup to name a few. The past is brought to life after a group of friends, now adults, seek revenge for their mistreatment after getting caught up in the juvenile court system as children.